Envision: The Michigan Artist Initiative 2025

Stamps Gallery, part of the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan, invites artists and collaboratives to submit their work for consideration for Envision: The Michigan Artist Initiative. This initiative showcases the depth of artistic excellence and merit of contemporary art practices in Michigan and recognizes the creativity, rigor and innovation of artists and collaboratives working in the region, inspiring the next generations of artists in our state.

A shortlist of three artists will be selected by a prominent national panel of jurors. Those finalists will be invited to exhibit their work in a group exhibition at Stamps Gallery from June 26 — August 2, 2025, with logistical and curatorial support from the Gallery’s professional staff. The jury will select a winner, who will be announced at the exhibition’s opening reception and awarded a $5,000 cash prize.

Visit Slideroom to start your application: Applications will be accepted from November 12 — December 22, 2024.

Eligibility Criteria

• Artists must live and work in Michigan.
• Artists must be at least 21 years old and not be enrolled in a University program at an undergraduate or graduate level.
• The initiative is open to emerging and mid-career artists and collaboratives living and working in Michigan.
  • Emerging artists are early in their artistic careers (regardless of age). They have a small exhibition record and their practices are not yet considered well established professionally by indicators of museum exhibitions, gallery representation, publications. They have been practicing professionally for at least three years.
  • Mid-career artists have passed the early stages of their careers. They have a growing body of work and have attained a fair degree of public exposure through exhibitions, publications, and media coverage.
• This initiative seeks to support artists who are gaining momentum and committed to pushing the boundaries of their chosen medium. These artists are at a critical stage in their careers and in the threshold of taking their work to the next level.

Start Your Application

Timeline

• November 12 — December 22, 2024: Call for work
• January 31, 2025: Finalists announced
• June 26, 2025: Public opening and award ceremony event
• June 26 — August 2, 2025: Exhibition dates

Juror’s Evaluation Criteria

• Artistic Excellence: Those who are building a rigorous body of work and demonstrate a consistent commitment to their artistic careers and take risks by pushing the boundaries of their chosen mediums. We have defined Artistic Excellence in the following ways: 
  • Innovation & Skill: The work shows creativity, ambition, and technical ability.
  • Meaning & Relevance: The work engages with contemporary themes that resonate with today’s society.
  • Clarity of Expression: The ideas behind the work are thoughtfully communicated.
• Meet all the eligibility criteria listed above
  
• Those who are at a critical juncture in their artistic careers for whom this award will make a significant impact. 

Application Notes

• The application process is free, and submissions in all media are welcome.
• All submitted works must be original and produced within the last four calendar years (nothing created before January 2020).
• Work samples and application materials will be electronically reviewed.
• Should you have further questions about the application process, please contact stamps-​gallery@​umich.​edu. Please do not contact the jurors.